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International inheritances

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I was living in a common-law relationship in an apartment rented solely in my partner’s name. Unfortunately, she has just passed away. Can I have the lease transferred to my name?

Yes, subject to conditions. Article 14 of Law No. 89-462 of 6 July 1989 provides that, in the event of the tenant’s death, the lease is transferred in particular “to the de facto partner who had been living with [the tenant] for at least one year at the date of…
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My grandfather plans to give me one of his plots of land that I farm. He wants to include a right of return for my sister so that the land does not revert to my wife on my death.

The notary refuses to include this in the deed of gift. Why? In accordance with article 951 of the Civil Code, "the donor may mention the right of return of the objects donated either in the case of the death of the donee alone, or in the event of the…
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My spouse passed away. I am the beneficiary of a spousal donation which states that if I choose to be the usufructuary, I am exempt from making an inventory and an appraisal of the property. However, my stepchildren are demanding these...

..do they have the right? Yes. The law is clear: Article 1094-3 of the Civil Code states that " Children or descendants may, notwithstanding any stipulation to the contrary by the donor, require that an inventory of movable property and an appraisal of immovable property subject to usufruct be made
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I have a photocopy of a handwritten will. Can I use it as proof?

No. A photocopy of handwritten will is not valid because it was not written by the testator’s own hand, as required by law (Article 970 of the Civil Code). Courts have confirmed this (e.g., Cass. 1st Civ., 29 May 2013, No. 12-17.870).
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